One of Brighton's best-known seafront hotels has a new general manager.

Andrew Swindells has taken over at the Hilton Brighton Metropole Hotel and his role also includes responsibility for the Hilton West Pier, 100 yards along the road.

Mr Swindells said: "Brighton is a wonder-fully cosmopolitan environment and the Metro-pole should be an integral part of the Brighton community.

"I am hoping not only to integrate the hotel further into the comm-unity but to ensure its place as the premiere conference venue on the south coast."

Mr Swindells career spans more than 25 years in the hotel business. He spent 17 years running the Hilton Birmingham NEC, the largest confer-ence hotel in the Mid-lands, before moving south to take over at the Hilton at Terminal Four at Heathrow Airport 12 months ago.

He said: "I prefer working for conference hotels and was keen to take charge at the Hilton Brighton because of the high-profile conferences. I'm looking forward to spending many years here and I am in the process of trying to find a permanent home for my family at Rotting-dean."

Mr Swindells, wife Kim, son Ben, 18, and daughter Katie, 13, are currently living at the hotel while the family's new home is sorted out.

Mr Swindells takes over from Colin Wakefield, who held the post of general manager for four years. He has moved on to run a central London hotel.

The Hilton chain has a third Sussex hotel at Arundel.